ICJC Events Calendar

“Don't Waste. Recreate - Find the Beauty in Imperfection”In simpler times, Japanese embraced the aesthetic of wabi sabi; the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent and incomplete, the beauty of things modest and humble. Now with life moving so quickly, and perfection at a premium, our eyes gravitate to the shiny and newly manufactured. Objects created to support daily life are too easily tossed aside. Recycle Artist, Shoichi Sakurai, believing that life and value don't have to be measured in what was, will illustrate through examples of his artwork, how discarded and abandoned treasures, coupled with creativity and craftsmanship, can be "resurrected" and given new direction, new life.-------------

Shoichi Sakurai (Japan) was born first son to a master Kumiko-tategu-shokunin in the downtown district of Tokyo. Unable to relate to the rigid Japanese lifestyle, he yearned for the outside world. After a few years of life in California exporting antiques, he gained a fresh perspective and saw his homeland and culture with new eyes. He then traveled to Africa and Asia, studying their native crafts. Returning to Japan, he was inspired to create his own work. Melding innovative ideas with a Japanese aesthetic, Sakurai is widely active in the U.S., Europe and Japan. See his website here: http://www.shoichi-sakurai.com.

For this special lecture/exhibition, Mr. Sakurai will create an artwork "live" during the first fifteen-minutes of the evening. Shoichi welcomes audience members to bring old, interesting, objects (wood, iron, etc.) that he might utilize. Please leave them at the artist's work area at 7:00pm. From 7:15-8:15pm, a walking tour of Sakurai's selected items and artworks will be given, with explanation in English and Japanese. At the end, there will be time for questions and answers regarding "modern wabi sabi" and how it pertains to Sakurai's own work.

*Due to the evening's unique presentation, stage doors will open exactly at 7pm, however registration begins at 6:30pm. Please note there will be no chairs set up in the audience area (cushions 座布団 will be provided.) For audience members requiring special seating, please contact the ICJC office.

Please note this event will be held in the Yokohama International School Auditorium. Please see here for directions.